Tips for Marriott Harbour Lake?

[jacobsDISNEYmama]

Hi everyone! We decided on Harbour Lake for our upcoming trip in November and wondered if anyone who stayed there could provide some tips, advice, etc. We stayed at Grande Vista our last trip and loved it, but thought we'd try a new resort. Our party consists of my husband, MIL, and DS will be 15 months by then.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Also if anyone can direct me to some reviews that would be great. I have read a couple but not sure if anyone has some that's off DISboards.

 

[jacobsDISNEYmama]

Oh, and how far is the walk to Sea World?

 

[dioxide45]

Hi everyone! We decided on Harbour Lake for our upcoming trip in November and wondered if anyone who stayed there could provide some tips, advice, etc. We stayed at Grande Vista our last trip and loved it, but thought we'd try a new resort. Our party consists of my husband, MIL, and DS will be 15 months by then.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Also if anyone can direct me to some reviews that would be great. I have read a couple but not sure if anyone has some that's off DISboards.

Oh, and how far is the walk to Sea World?

I can't point you to any recent reviews. I wouldn't suggest though walking to Sea World. While it is not really very far, there is a lot of traffic close to the highway on Central Florida parkway. I don't remember any sidewalks on Westwood Blvd. Check out this Google Maps link. It is doable, but if you have a car already, the parking fee at Sea World will be money well spent.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Normally we exchange to Grande Vista with Harbour Lake as our back-up. Now that my DD is a preschooler we have been staying at Harbour Lake. Just booked H.L. 3 hours ago for Feb 2010! For little kids I like Harbour Lake, once DD gets older we will switch back to G.V. or try to get the new Lakeshore Reserve.

-Much smaller than Grande Vista (less buildings). Even the farthest away building from the pool is not that far compared to G.V.
-I think 2nd bedroom a little smaller than Grande Vista, but still big enough compared to being in a hotel.
-If you are trying to get a 2br lock-out, it is more difficult at H.L. I think only the newer buildings have some lock-outs.
-We were in a new building in January, only 2 weeks old (#31). Nice decor, flat screen t.v.'s. Plenty of drawers in 2nd bedroom. Actually more drawer space then when I was in a 2 br lock-out at G.V.
-Some people have complained Harbour Lave is close to highway and noisy. I always have windows shut and a/c on so I have never had a problem. Newer buildings not close to highway.
-Pool geared towards kids. I *think* they have a spash zone, not sure since there it was freezing last time we were there.
-When we were at G.V. in Jan 2008 our unit was in dire need of a facelift. Rusty fridge door, hole in side of bathtub (how does that happen? looked like a freakin' gun shot!), broken bedroom lamp, many light bulbs out. We had 3 units booked and DH is the higest level Marriott Platinum you can get so I was really mad. I still am a little leary on booking it again.

 

[jacobsDISNEYmama]

Thank you! Any other tips?

What views does Building #31 have? Any special locations I should request?

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Thank you! Any other tips?

What views does Building #31 have? Any special locations I should request?

From what I remember there are no special views at Harbour Lake, mostly small ponds out the master bedroom/living room and parking lots out the front bedrooms. Some buildings probably have pool views. I would just ask to not be facing the higway. Here is a map, the new buildings are 30 and 31.

http://www.marriott-vacations.com/common/cms/mvc/resorts/marriott-harbour-lake/pdfs/map.pdf

I just noticed... look above 28 and 31 on the map at the shaded area. Looks like they are adding on more buildings so there could be construction going on! I went on Interval International's website, it says 'The resort is undergoing construction/renovation, which is a continuation of the resort's development.'

 

[dioxide45]

From what I have read over on TUG, the next building being built is on the far west side that backs up to the highway. So you shouldn't be close to any new construction regardless of what building you should be in.

 

[scrapple]

marriott has buy 3 nights, get 2 free at this place btw..

marriottrewards.com